Dear Claire, Ann, Ian and all
The NESLi2 study of usage stats (summary report at http://www.ebase.uce.ac.uk/docs/jiscnesli2summaryeb.pdf <http://www.ebase.uce.ac.uk/docs/jiscnesli2summaryeb.pdf> .) used a variety of measures to get an analysis of how e-journals in a particular deal were being used. We are currently updating the study to cover the whole of 2004. For reasons of confidentiality, we are not able to publish the actual data but those HE libraries who took part in the study are able to request a report on their usage and we are currently looking to extend this service to cover other libraries and publishers.
The NESLi2 study includes some recommendations to JISC for making the collection of usage statistics easier. In the meantime, you can find on the evidence base web-site at http://www.ebase.uce.ac.uk/emeasures/sconul.htm.a <http://www.ebase.uce.ac.uk/emeasures/sconul.htm.a> guide to sources of usage statistics and information on adding Swetswise usage statistics to those from publishers. These were prepared as part of the e-measures project and are there to help with filling in the e-measures questions for the SCONUL statistical return. In response to Ian's question, there is not yet a public report on the e-measures project, but he is quite right in drawing attention to the difficulties project members found in collecting reliable usage statistics.
One of the major findings of both the e-measures project and the NESLi2 study has been that while lists of COUNTER compliant usage statistics provide a good starting point there are many other elements to the successful evaluation of e-resources. It is also necessary to focus on the questions to be answered and to apply analysis techniques that relate usage to costs, subject categories, subscribed and unsubscribed titles, patterns of high, low and nil use etc.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the work of evidence base in this area, please get in touch.
Best wishes
Angela
Dr Angela Conyers
evidence base
research & evaluation
UCE Library Services
University of Central England
Perry Barr
Birmingham
B42 2SU
email: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
tel: 01303 240236 (home)
www.ebase.uce.ac.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: An informal open list set up by the UK Serials Group on behalf of C.E.Grace
Sent: Fri 24/06/2005 09:09
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc:
Subject: Re: Current applications for electronic journal and database usage statistics
Dear Ann,
We are currently wrestling with the same question at the Open University
since a reorganisation of staff within the Library has led to us
assessing the demands on staff time for collection and collation of
usage data. As I'm sure anyone else who has looked into this has found,
it's a large, time-consuming area but one that I feel that we are really
only scratching the surface of in terms of our ability to produce
exactly the data that the Faculties, Subject Librarians and
budget-holders require.
We are fortunate that we have a proxy server to authenticate non-Athens
authenticated resources, so we are able to obtain some data from that
and the COUNTER initiative has helped immensely where collation of data
obtained from suppliers is concerned. My feeling is that we need to go
back a step and looks at the questions that need answering before
putting any more effort into producing large, time-consuming lists of
data that no one really needs.
We also need to have the systems that subject specialists can
interrogate themselves to download meaningful usage data into reports
that truly indicate performance. I have found that this need is often
overlooked by system manufacturers and IT professionals who install the
systems.
So, in short, yes, we are considering all options for future reporting
on usage and evaluation of the effectiveness of our eresource
collections.
I had thought about hosting some sort of discussion group over the
summer about this area, so if anyone thinks that might be a good idea
and would be interested in attending please let me know.
Best wishes
Claire Grace
Electronic Resources, Periodicals and Acquisitions Manager,
Open University Library
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
Tel: (01908) 653291
Fax:(01908) 653571
-----Original Message-----
From: An informal open list set up by the UK Serials Group
[mailto:[log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> ] On Behalf Of Ann Charlton
Sent: 23 June 2005 16:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Current applications for electronic journal and database
usagestatistics
Dear all,
I am currently involved in the collation and dissemination of usage
statistics within our institution. Could I ask what procedures and
applications other institutions currently have in place?
Is anyone considering purchasing a commercial solution to usage
statistics collection and dissemination?
Many thanks,
Ann
*********************************************************
Ann Charlton
Electronic Resources & Systems Support Officer
Research & Learning Resources
Information Services
Hallward Library
University of Nottingham
University Park
Nottingham
NG7 2RD
Tel: 0115 846 7381
Fax: 0115 951 4558
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